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Overview
Calf presses take the various leg pressing machines in the gym and use them as calf machines. These machines can be useful because they come in a variety of angles and can add good variation to your calf workout. Some machines require you to press a weight upward above yourself. On those machines where the weight is pressed upward above your knees, be sure to set the catch-bars so that the weight doesn’t come crashing down on you if your toes slip.
Setup
Set the needed amount of weight and sit in the leg press machine of your choice. Choose a machine where you can easily place your toes on the bottom of the foot plate and get the full range of motion. Take a seat and set the catch-bars to the closed position before lifting up the weight if you are pressing the weight above your knees. Place the ball of each foot and toes on the bottom of the foot plate and straighten your knees to lift the weight up.
Movement
Begin this exercise with you calves fully stretched so that your toes are pulled upward toward your body. Press the foot plate away from your body as far as possible and hold at this point for a moment. Then, reverse this motion until your toes return to the starting position pointing as high as possible.
Tips From the Trainer
Allowing your heels to drop all the way down and go lower than your toes is important so that your calves are fully worked throughout the full range of the movement. Stretching before your calf exercises will also go a long way in helping you to develop well carved, diamond shaped calves.
You can add variation to this exercise by varying the width between your feet and by pointing your toes either slightly inward or slightly outward. Each variation will help to work your calves from a different angle.
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